Connector having a spacer detection structure

Abstract

In a spacer detection structure of a connector having: an oval connector housing (2); a plurality of connector terminals (32) housed in the connector housing; and a terminal fixing spacer (4) engaged with the connector terminals when the connector terminals are fully inserted into the connector housing and formed with a curved base wall portion (5) along an oval shape of the connector housing, the curved base wall portion (5) of the terminal fixing spacer (4) is formed with a recessed portion (10) having a flat bottom surface (9) brought into contact with at least one detection plate (8) of a connector fixing jig (7) for inspecting whether the terminal fixing spacer is full inserted into the connector housing. Therefore, it is possible to securely inspect an imperfect insertion of the oval terminal fixing spacer (4) into the oval connector housing (2), without increasing the manufacturing cost of the connector fixing jig (7) of the inspection instrument.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector having a spacer detection structure, said connector comprising: a connector housing having a curved surface and an opening formed on one side of the connector housing;   a plurality of connector terminals housed in the connector housing; and   a terminal fixing spacer inserted into the opening of the connector housing, the terminal fixing spacer being engageable with the connector terminals and having a curved base wall portion positioned substantially flush with the curved surface of the connector housing;   wherein the curved base wall portion of the terminal fixing spacer includes at least one recessed portion having a flat bottom surface configured to be brought into contact with a detection plate of a connector fixing jig for inspecting whether the terminal fixing spacer is full inserted into the connector housing.   
     
     
       2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the terminal fixing spacer further includes a central flexible lock piece configured to engage a connector locking panel to which the connector is fixed. 
     
     
       3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing has a substantially oval cross-section.